Understanding the solution report

NCDA& CS Agronomic Division 1040 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699- 1040 ( 919) 733- 2655 www. ncagr. com/ agronomi/
Understanding the Solution Report
www. ncagr. com/ agronomi/ uyrpws. htm Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture
Solution analysis provides valuable information on the quality of surface waters, groundwater and nutrient solutions used in crop, livestock and
poultry production; aquaculture; and pond management. However, it cannot identify or measure microorganisms, potential pathogens, pesticides or
other organic chemical contaminants. To test for these kinds of problems, contact your county health department or a commercial laboratory.
Sample Information This section contains sample information provided by the grower: sample identifi cation number,
description of intended use and the solution code. Interpretation of test results depends on the code provided.
Laboratory Results Determinations of elements are reported in parts per million ( ppm). The elements routinely
measured are 11 of those essential for normal plant growth— major nutrients ( P, K), secondary nutrients ( Ca, Mg, S) and
micronutrients ( Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Na, Cl). The concentration of these elements can infl uence management practices in
both plant and animal production.
EC is reported in units of mho × 10- 5 per cm, which equals Siemens × 10- 5 per cm. It measures dissolved salts and is
an indicator of the level of management required for successful use of the solution.
SAR indicates the degree of balance among Ca, Mg and Na. It is useful in predicting the tendency for Na to accumulate
in soil where the water is routinely used for irrigation. Where overhead irrigation is used, toxic levels of Na can accumulate
on the foliage. Since SAR is a ratio, it has no units.
Hardness indicates the amount of Ca and Mg in water, expressed as ppm of CaCO 3 . It is useful in evaluating water
for potential to build up scale or for compatibility with animal medicines. Hard water can indicate high alkalinity.
Total alkalinity is the sum of carbonate and bicarbonate ions reported in ppm. Most alkalinity in North Carolina water
is in the bicarbonate form. This value indicates the tendency of water to increase soil pH where irrigation is routinely
used. In some plant production systems, alkalinity must be neutralized to avoid increasing substrate pH to levels that do
not support plant growth.
AR indicates the number of ounces of battery acid ( 9.19N sulfuric acid) to apply to each 100 gallons of water to lower
alkalinity to a desirable level. The AR is calculated to neutralize 80% of the alkalinity.
NO 3 - N and NH 4 - N are reported in ppm and are primary indicators of water quality. Above normal concentrations
could indicate contamination from a well construction problem or some environmental impact in the vicinity of the water
supply. Most plants have a high tolerance for nitrogen and use it effi ciently. The recommended upper limit for human
consumption is 10 ppm. The upper NO 3 - N limit in animal production varies widely. Most good quality water sources in
North Carolina contain under 3 ppm NO 3 - N and 0.3 ppm NH 4 - N.
Recommendations This section provides comments and suggestions for management, if necessary.
Report Abbreviations
AR Acid requirement
B Boron
Ca Calcium
Cl Chloride
Cu Copper
EC Electrical conductivity
Fe Iron
IN- N Inorganic nitrogen
K Potassium
Mg Magnesium
Mn Manganese
N Nitrogen
NH 4 - N Ammonium nitrogen
NO 3 - N Nitrate nitrogen
Na Sodium
OR- N Organic nitrogen
P Phosphorus
pH How acidic or basic
[ on a scale of 1 to 14]
S Sulfur
SAR Sodium adsorption
ratio
Zn Zinc
August 2007 5,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $ 109.38 or $ 0.02 per copy.

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NCDA& CS Agronomic Division 1040 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699- 1040 ( 919) 733- 2655 www. ncagr. com/ agronomi/
Understanding the Solution Report
www. ncagr. com/ agronomi/ uyrpws. htm Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture
Solution analysis provides valuable information on the quality of surface waters, groundwater and nutrient solutions used in crop, livestock and
poultry production; aquaculture; and pond management. However, it cannot identify or measure microorganisms, potential pathogens, pesticides or
other organic chemical contaminants. To test for these kinds of problems, contact your county health department or a commercial laboratory.
Sample Information This section contains sample information provided by the grower: sample identifi cation number,
description of intended use and the solution code. Interpretation of test results depends on the code provided.
Laboratory Results Determinations of elements are reported in parts per million ( ppm). The elements routinely
measured are 11 of those essential for normal plant growth— major nutrients ( P, K), secondary nutrients ( Ca, Mg, S) and
micronutrients ( Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Na, Cl). The concentration of these elements can infl uence management practices in
both plant and animal production.
EC is reported in units of mho × 10- 5 per cm, which equals Siemens × 10- 5 per cm. It measures dissolved salts and is
an indicator of the level of management required for successful use of the solution.
SAR indicates the degree of balance among Ca, Mg and Na. It is useful in predicting the tendency for Na to accumulate
in soil where the water is routinely used for irrigation. Where overhead irrigation is used, toxic levels of Na can accumulate
on the foliage. Since SAR is a ratio, it has no units.
Hardness indicates the amount of Ca and Mg in water, expressed as ppm of CaCO 3 . It is useful in evaluating water
for potential to build up scale or for compatibility with animal medicines. Hard water can indicate high alkalinity.
Total alkalinity is the sum of carbonate and bicarbonate ions reported in ppm. Most alkalinity in North Carolina water
is in the bicarbonate form. This value indicates the tendency of water to increase soil pH where irrigation is routinely
used. In some plant production systems, alkalinity must be neutralized to avoid increasing substrate pH to levels that do
not support plant growth.
AR indicates the number of ounces of battery acid ( 9.19N sulfuric acid) to apply to each 100 gallons of water to lower
alkalinity to a desirable level. The AR is calculated to neutralize 80% of the alkalinity.
NO 3 - N and NH 4 - N are reported in ppm and are primary indicators of water quality. Above normal concentrations
could indicate contamination from a well construction problem or some environmental impact in the vicinity of the water
supply. Most plants have a high tolerance for nitrogen and use it effi ciently. The recommended upper limit for human
consumption is 10 ppm. The upper NO 3 - N limit in animal production varies widely. Most good quality water sources in
North Carolina contain under 3 ppm NO 3 - N and 0.3 ppm NH 4 - N.
Recommendations This section provides comments and suggestions for management, if necessary.
Report Abbreviations
AR Acid requirement
B Boron
Ca Calcium
Cl Chloride
Cu Copper
EC Electrical conductivity
Fe Iron
IN- N Inorganic nitrogen
K Potassium
Mg Magnesium
Mn Manganese
N Nitrogen
NH 4 - N Ammonium nitrogen
NO 3 - N Nitrate nitrogen
Na Sodium
OR- N Organic nitrogen
P Phosphorus
pH How acidic or basic
[ on a scale of 1 to 14]
S Sulfur
SAR Sodium adsorption
ratio
Zn Zinc
August 2007 5,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $ 109.38 or $ 0.02 per copy.